What is Meditation? - Thoughts while meditating

What is meditation?

Meditation today includes various techniques of calming, relaxation, renewal of vital energy (chi, chi, prana..), balancing spirit and mind and developing compassion, love, awareness.

Meditating does not mean that we become a different person, a new person or even a better person.

Complete range of meditation products

It is a practice of raising awareness and gaining an objective perspective on oneself and the world. In meditation we learn to observe thoughts or feelings without judgment. We want to better listen to our inner voice and intuition, with the aim of better exploring and understanding ourselves.

Meditation brings many health (psychological, neurological and cardiovascular) and other effects. It has a positive effect on reducing stress, anxiety, depression and pain and brings more peace, alertness, improves self-image and well-being.

Types of meditation

In the Western world, techniques are divided into 2 types, namely:

• focused meditation - focusing on a chosen object, breathing, visualization or words, mantras, use of mala necklace;
• mindfulness meditation – observing the 'journey' of thoughts, feelings, emotions, mood... from the point of view of an external observer, without the active involvement of the mind.

Sets for meditation

Should we NOT think during meditation?

People often encounter this idea, and let me say right away - with this big mistake - I must not think during meditation! I answer this: "well, good luck!" That's why many people try meditation and give up on it, saying that meditation doesn't work for them because they are thinking all the time and it doesn't make sense.

By the way, constant thinking is the reason FOR meditation and not the other way around!

First of all, it is necessary to understand that thinking is a natural function of our brain, our head. So we have an organ with its own function which, like the rest, enables us to survive. Just like the heart beats and keeps us alive. Thus, the head constantly monitors the environment, analyzes it and warns us of dangers.

Of course, the problem arose because it warns us of dangers all the time, even when it is not necessary, because based on past experience, if I am exaggerating a little, it perceives more or less everything as a potential danger (be careful, you can be hurt, be careful if you have an accident again, be careful...). In other words, the problem is not even that, but the fact that we no longer know how to consciously distinguish and decide which "care" to take into account and which "care" is irrational for us in that situation and only hinders us. Then we live in fear and put all possible obstacles in front of realizing our dreams. But that's another story, let's leave it for another time. 

Thoughts as such are not a problem

Let me take a step back…so thinking is a natural function of the head. The problem is:

• Because we practically live in our head - as I say, all our attention is in our head, and then our energy is also there
• Since we live in our head, we then somehow recognize it as our identity (what I think is me).

If our attention is never elsewhere, how would we perceive anything else and then our head is all we know. But again I went too far...

So don't try not to think, just let go. JUST BE. Sit down, allow thoughts to be, emotions to be, don't control... We always try to control things, life, emotions (ours and from others), and some even thoughts during meditation...

If it is bad, we judge that it should not be.  If it's good, we think it must be. During meditation, let it be as it is, that you are as you are (for example, I am sometimes angry, sad, sometimes I even perceive something more extravagant, such as revenge)... Forget about good and bad...

Even in nature, the sun does not shine all the time. It's also raining, so it's not bad. Maybe it's not the most pleasant and makes our day a little tired. But that's not why it's bad and, above all, it's part of life, part of nature, and without it there's no water that makes life possible.

And yes, my dears, the thoughts will be less and less during meditation. Because when you stop controlling and stop being only in your head, it will finally be able to rest a little. You will be able to feel something besides your head - but what I leave to your own experience.

So during meditation, despite the constant thoughts, just stay patient - with your thoughts and with yourself - and whenever your thoughts wander elsewhere, just go back to the exercise or the breath, or not even that, and just be what you want!

However, since this is sometimes a big challenge, guided meditations can help you with this.